Basilinna races into the 2025 Melbourne Cup field
Emma-Lee and David Browne are set to aim Basilinna toward the Melbourne Cup after her determined win in Saturday’s Andrew Ramsden Stakes (2800m) at Flemington secured a ballot-free entry into the great race.
Starting at $21, Basilinna thrived in the Soft 7 conditions under Dean Yendall, finishing strongly to win by 1¼ lengths over outsider Glentaneous ($101), with Ferneo ($14) another 1½ lengths away in third.
The victory guarantees the mare a spot in the Group 1 Melbourne Cup in November and marks a milestone for the Browne stable since their move to Australia in 2022.
“I’m a little bit overwhelmed,” Emma-Lee Browne said post-race.
“She’s a horse that means a lot to me and I can’t believe that she did it.
“When the rain came we were pretty confident, but she is a proper princess and it might have been too much rain, but she just handled it so well.
“We’ve just got to wrap her in cotton wool now and we’ll be back here in November.
“It’s a massive thing for our whole stable.”
The win adds to a standout season for the couple, following their VOBIS Showdown success in March.
“We’ve had a great season, but this has really topped it off,” Browne said.
The mare’s backstory adds further sentiment—she’s out of So Royal, who was bought after the stable lost their beloved jumper Monarch Chimes.
“Her mum’s by Shinko King and I laughed and said ‘you can’t replace him’ but I think he’s done a pretty good job,” Browne added.
“We bred her and she’s done a pretty good job.
“Right from the start today, she was handling the track great and I think I will be the only one hoping for rain in November.”
To follow Basilinna’s spring lead-up and access odds on the Melbourne Cup, head over to Australia’s top betting sites.
More Racing News
Caulfield Guineas: Waller's quartet completes key trackwork
Trainer Chris Waller's team heading towards the Caulfield Guineas has received a significant boost following a beneficial visit to Caulfield.The quartet of Tron Bolt, Diameter, Central Europe, and Somethings Burnin' all participated in gallops at Caulfield on Tuesday morning, honing their preparations for the upcoming Caulfield Guineas (1600m) on Saturday.During...
Ka Ying Rising readies for The Everest despite minor trial setback
Hong Kong's celebrated galloper, Ka Ying Rising, faced a surprising defeat in a 1000m barrier trial at Royal Randwick this morning, finishing behind Ninja, though trainer and jockey remain unconcerned.The world's foremost racehorse, Ka Ying Rising, made a swift departure from the gates, establishing an early lead with Ninja in...
Caulfield Guineas draw favours Call Me Coach
The barrier draw for the 2019 Caulfield Guineas remains a vivid memory for Rod 'Rocket' Douglas.Douglas, serving as racing manager for owner Jonothan Munz, had the responsibility of drawing the Caulfield Guineas barriers for Anthony Freedman's stablemates, Super Seth and Groundswell, before the 2019 running.Super Seth ultimately started from barrier...
Sheza Alibi and Birdman set for Caulfield clash
Leading trainer Chris Waller is fully aware of the significant challenge that lies ahead for his charge, Birdman, as he prepares to face the talented mare Sheza Alibi at Caulfield.The highly anticipated clash between Birdman and Sheza Alibi is set for the Group 1 Might And Power Stakes over 2000m...
Melbourne Cup hopes boosted for Ciaron Maher runners after handicapping
Juja Kibo has taken a significant step towards a Melbourne Cup start, receiving a revised handicap following his impressive victory in The Metropolitan last Saturday.The chief handicapper for Racing Victoria, David Hegan, assigned the Ciaron Maher-trained stayer a 2kg penalty for the $10 million event, acknowledging his dominant 1-3/4-length win...
Crescent King set for Brian Crowley Stakes after Warwick Farm triumph
While Crescent King has not yet been tested in Saturday races, a commanding win at Warwick Farm on Monday could well have earned him a start in Stakes company.The Written Tycoon colt, a three-year-old, now boasts two wins from as many starts this preparation after he reeled in the speedy...
Attrition set for another tilt at the Hill Stakes
Mitch Freedman's primary focus at Flemington last Saturday was on the Group 2 Gilgai Stakes, which he claimed with Skybird, but he was also an interested observer of the Turnbull Stakes.The Ballarat trainer expressed his satisfaction at seeing Cosmic Crusader achieve a dominant 1-3/4-length victory in the 2000-metre Group 1...
Welcometotheshow primed for Toorak Handicap tilt
Trainer Tyler Donaldson-Aitken is preparing to mark a significant career milestone, readying his first Group 1 contender, Welcometotheshow.The race targeted for Welcometotheshow is the highly anticipated Toorak Handicap, a 1600-metre event at Caulfield this Saturday. This comes after the gelding secured his inaugural Stakes race victory at Flemington on September...
Flying For Fun targets Schillaci Stakes after impressive return
Bryce Heys has opted to keep Flying For Fun at shorter distances for now, with the mare's next start set to be in Melbourne for the Schillaci Stakes.The dual stakes winner is expected to be nominated for the 1100m sprint at Caulfield on Saturday. This comes after a promising return...
Close call as Skybird narrowly wins Gilgai Stakes
Depending on when you are reading this, trainer Mitchell Freedman and favourite backers may only just have exhaled as a unique characteristic nearly brought Skybird undone in the Gilgai Stakes at Flemington.Sent out the $2.90 market elect, Skybird looked set for an easy victory as jockey Ben Melham eased the...